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Baby, it’s cold outside and the perfect time to warm up with a holiday drink! My go-to has been the McCafé Crème Brûlée Latte paired with my homemade festive chocolate chip cookies. Who doesn't love a little sugary treat this time of year? It's a twist on a classic cookie and perfect for gifting, last-minute guests or simply making and sharing with the family!

Best of all, you can sip on your latte while baking or on your holiday journey. It’s sure to fill your heart with warmth and joy!

Now for the perfect pairing with a McCafé drink is the festive chocolate chip cookie:INGREDIENTS

In a mixing bowl, beat the brown sugar and butter together at medium speed until fluffy. Next, add eggs and beat until combined. In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, then add to the butter mixture and combine. Stir in the festive chocolate chips by hand.

Sundays are by far my favourite day of the week - from sleeping in, brunch with bae to snuggling up on the couch. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, sometimes we just need to take time out for a day of rest and focus on self-care. And let's not forget that it's winter and it's freakin' cold. I'll admit I'm not one for winter and would be quite content if spring made an appearance. But alas, I make the most of this season and all that it has to offer. So what better way to celebrate the season of getting cozy, than with a little binge-watching and cocoa drinking.

I'm sharing my favourite go-to winter picks that will help me get through these cold months:

FESTIVE CANDLE

Lighting a candle is essential to developing the coziest of cozy environments. Don't look any further than Bath & Body Works' Tis The Season 3-wick candle, the smell is simply divine. It's a blend of rich red apples, sweet cinnamon and cedarwood. Essentially it's Christmas in a jar!

HOT CHOCOLATE

Hot chocolates are the ultimate winter treat. A cup of this velvety goodness will sure make you feel instantly cozy especially when topped with yummy marshmallows. Whether you make your own hot chocolate mix with your favourite chocolate and warm milk. Or whip up some boxed powdered hot chocolate (there's no shame!) - get your booty on the couch as you'll feel the warmth of the holiday season and calm down instantly.

COOKIES

From gingerbread to shortbread to sugar cookies, the holiday season is filled with tasty treats that will sweeten up your mood. But seriously, cookies are basically the point of Christmas, right? Bae and I received these delicious shortbread cookies from his colleague this weekend and boy oh boy were they the best I've ever had.

THROW

For me, the perfect throw needs to be cozy, pretty and fluffy. This one from Indigo is by far the softest blanket to snuggle up with on the couch and makes a stylish accent draped over a sofa or bed when not in use.

The holidays are quickly approaching, so I'm getting uber excited about one of the most important parts of the season - the glorious food! ‘Tis the season to indulge and what better way to celebrate than with exciting new limited-time menu offerings from McDonald’s Canada!

If you've got a curious palate, then you'll have the sweet pleasure of indulging your senses in the festive Caramel Chocolate Shortbread McFlurry available in-restaurant now through to the end of the year!

Get ready to treat yourself to a McFlurry filled with shortbread cookie crumble, rich chocolate chips and caramel sauce swirled into cool creamy vanilla soft serve. Each spoonful is a holiday party in your mouth.

Either way, this delightfully frosty treats will satisfy all your festive cravings.

Disclosure:

Bon appétit to McDonald’s Canada for sponsoring this post! All views and opinions are my own.

Are you a workaholic? A mum who needs a break? A stressed college student? Day-to-day life is hectic enough as it is - between work, your social calendar and fewer hours of that sweet daylight, you are not alone if you're feeling the end-of-year stress wave that is familiar to so many of us.

With so much going on, it can be tough to maintain a self-care routine that keeps you grounded and remain positive. Self-care has been an integral part of my routine over the past year that I’ve often noticed that when I don’t take care of my self, every other area of my life takes a hit. You need to realize that YOU time is not selfish but a meaningful way to connect with your body and let it recharge. During the holidays, we are so quick to give our time and energy that we can end up feeling completely depleted afterwards.

I've put together my top 3 relaxing holidays gifts of the season just for YOU - made especially by Kingston makers to ease you into a mellow mode:

RHICREATIONS

There's nothing like a warm bath and a Rhicreations candle to help any stressed-out soul take a breather. Sit back, relax and enjoy your surroundings turn into an oasis of serenity.

THE CHEESECAKERY BAKERY

Unwind by indulging in your sweet tooth with these amazing cheesecake delights in a jar. They are the perfect indivudual treat so you won't have to worry about the scale. Trust me, these treats are filled with pure joy that can turn any frown upside down.

EUNOIA & SUNSHINE

Stress isn't good for the mind or the soul - a great way to to revive yourself from the outside in, is with a little pampering. Eunoia & Sunshine's Mineral Mud Mask will give you a deep down cleansing of your pores leaving your skin clearer and brighter! Then apply some Bushy Tailed Eye Cream and you'll feel refreshed!

Cozy up as this is for all my festive premium roast coffee lovers - McDonald's Canada has introduced new adorable festive cups complete with bright red lids, that will match my lips quite perfectly.

Have you heard about the wonderful new promotion McDonald’s Canada has launched that is currently available in-restaurant?

From November 13th to December 10th 2017, you’ll be able to indulge in $1 (plus tax) any-size premium roast coffee. So drink up, enjoy the cute new cups before it’s too late! Seriously though, what else could you wish for?

And what better to enjoy it than with your favourite breakfast treat! That’s apple pie for me. :)

Disclosure:

Bon appétit to McDonald’s Canada for sponsoring this post! All views and opinions are my own.

Calling all foodies, wine and beer lovers - if you haven't been to Prince Edward County, you're truly missing out. It's the perfect city getaway - from vineyards, craft breweries and restaurants, the County as dubbed by the locals is a great vacation destination no matter the season. So whether it's a girl weekend or spur of the moment trip, you're in for a heck of a good time.

And lucky for you, I'm sharing my new favourite hot spots to drink, eat and stay - so let's get packing:

PARSONS BREWING

From an outdoor patio to rustic environment, Parsons has a laid back ambiance with stellar combination of delicious authentic food and great beer. A visit to this brewery calls for their authentic Mexican tacos alongside a pint. They're filled with pure goodness - sorry vegans and vegetarians, this isn't for you! From roasted chicken tacos in a tangy tomatillo sauce to carnitas tacos with confit and slow cooked Ontario pork and hints of citrus and cilantro!

Where: 876 County Road 49 Prince Edward County, ON

Summer Saison

COUNTY COLLECTIVE

The next stop takes you to the County Collective located in the beautiful town of Bloomfield. This storefront is curated perfectly and showcases unique Canadian makers and artisans.

Where: Bloomfield, ON

OAK CLOTHING CO.

If you're looking for classic quality pieces, Oak Clothing Co. is the spot for you. Catering to both men and women, Oak Clothing is tucked away like a hidden treasure in the town of Wellington up a set of stairs where you'll find a manicured collection of brands you'd normally find in the big city - my favourites include Mink Pink, Cheap Monday and Levis.

Where: 291 Main St, Wellington, ON

THE JUNE MOTEL

This dream getaway is everything you could imagine and more. Bonus: it's Insta-worthy as heck! The June Motel is a new fabulous edition to Prince Edward County and is nothing but basic - filled with an eclectic mix of vintage pieces and feminine touches, this boutique motel is a must. Seriously though, book your stay now and don't forget your smart phone!

Where: 12351 Loyalist Pkwy, Picton, ON

DRAKE DEVONSHIRE

Bordering the picturesque Lake Ontario within the charming Prince Edward County, the Drake Devonshire is the place to eat, drink and be merry. This cozy lakeside hot spot is artistically vibrant and amazingly draws inspiration from the local community while staying true to its contemporary counterpart in Toronto.

p.s. the food is top notch thanks to chef Matt DeMille and the drinks are refreshing with a variety of local picks. It is a journey well worthwhile full of scrumptious memories to be had!

Where: 24 Wharf St, Wellington, ON

Rabbit Carbonara

BONUS:

SAND & RAW PEARL RAW BAR

If you're an oyster fan then let's get drivin' because this place serves up fresh seafood dishes from both sides of the coast. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is chill with a dash of fancy. If you haven't visited this new spot in the County then get your booty shaking.

Well you'll just have to hold on for a quick minute before I dive into what this heavenly piece of chocolate goodness is. Earlier this month I had a lovely invite from the amazing folks at Jack Astor's Kingston to indulge in some of their new fall menu additions and let's just say we left with big smiles and tummies filled with scrumptiousness.

The Kitchen Sink Brownie

Okay so the above is not what our meal started out with but it was by far the crowd favourite and a chocoholic dream come true. Called the Kitchen Sink Brownie - this dessert will satisfy all sweet cravings. Made with a house-baked cookie brownie topped with vanilla ice cream, “junk mix” (REESE’s PIECES®, toffee bits, pretzel pieces, peanuts, and marshmallows) finished with a peanut cream sauce and Baileys chocolate sauce. It doesn't get any better than that! Delicious proof that Jack Astor's has little to no restraint when it comes to dessert.Crispy Broccoli Caesar Bites

Tossed in parmesan and asiago cheeses, these lightly battered broccoli flowerettes were filled with major crunch. The best part was the drizzle of roasted garlic aioli, topped with onion chips, bacon and dusted with lemon pepper. This was the perfect starter for those looking for something on the lighter and healthy side.

PB&J Chicken Wonton Sliders

Don't be alarmed by the odd pairing of foods. While we all know peanut butter and jelly are a match made in heaven, adding Jack Astor’s World Famous Chicken Fingers is a whole other story. Served as a little sandwich of awesome between crispy wonton chips and topped with green onions and crushed peanuts, these sliders are meant for sharing. Smothered in peanut butter and strawberry chili jam, these sliders are definitely messy but massively delicious.

PB&J Chicken Wonton Sliders

5 Cheese Chicken Mac

As a mac n cheese and pasta lover, this dish was a creative surprise. Featuring cavatappi pasta in a fresh jalapeño five-cheese sauce with Aji Amarillo roasted chicken and roasted red peppers tossed, it was filled with kick. So if you aren't a spice lover, this one isn't for you sorry thouogh if you're brave enough, order a glass of milk and dig it! The dish was topped with bacon bits, crispy fried jalapeños, green onion and finished with a toasted asiago crust - perfect to crumble apart and mix into the pasta.

5 Cheese Chicken Mac

Chicken Cobb Wrapp

Do you like it spicy and fresh with a bit of crunch? The Chicken Cobb Wrapp is for you - mixed greens, cheddar cheese, crispy chicken fingers (always a good choice), hard-boiled egg, tomato, bacon vinaigrette, fresh avocado and a touch of hot sauce all rolled in a grilled flour tortilla.

Chicken Cobb Wrapp

Extreme Chocolate Fudge Cake

So you thought the first dessert I featured above was amazing - well my friends, the Extreme Chocolate Fudge Cake is out of this world. This is a decadent 12-layer slice of dark, rich chocolate cake,
sweet caramel corn and Baileys chocolate sauce to top it off.

This could just be a meal on its on or perhaps drinks and dessert with the gals?

Extreme Chocolate Fudge Cake

Thanks to Jack Astor's Kingston for treating me to a fabulous night with friends!

It’s that time of year where your luck may just help you score some sweet items, and all you need to do is buy food! Monopoly has returned to McDonald’s for a limited time and what better way to relive childhood memories! This is an annual tradition I look forward to and now Canadians from coast-to-coast have more reasons to satisfy their cravings especially while celebrating Canada 150. Whether it’s a McCafé drink, Egg McMuffin or a Mighty Angus Range Burger, you have a 1 in 5 chances of winning – it’s pretty awesome.

Let your inner kid out and let the games being!

Everybody knows Monopoly is one of those games that get folks excited and as a kid I played a LOT and never got bored! My parents did well purchasing the board game.

So try your luck - you only have until November 13! You have the chance of winning a whole slew of items from gift cards to a whooping cash prize of $10,000!

It's pretty, colourful and irresistible to Instagrammers! The newly renovated TheJune Motelin Prince Edward County or The County as known to many, is a dream getaway and everything you could imagine and more. It's Insta-worthy as heck! No longer a hidden gem thanks to the fabulous realm of Instagram, best-friends April Brown and Sarah Sklash made a name for themselves prior to their doors even opening - let's be real they went viral and The June was an immediate social media magnet. Gotta love the online world and boss babes with passionate ideas.

From gorgeous floral wallpaper to cute tag lines everywhere, this cheery Miami vibe locale is designed with picture perfect details. Seriously, The June knocks down every motel misconception with its revamped modern day decor.

So what brought me to this little slice of heaven? Well like many, it was at the top of my travel list this summer and only an hour away from home, a room was booked with my gal pal Melissa. Gotta love semi-planned spontaneous trips. We said our goodbyes to Kingston for a day journey around the County for some much needed escape from the work grind and get inspired with good vibes.

In close proximity to local wineries, bourgeoning brewery scene, great eateries and stunning sceneries - the County has become the cool kid in Eastern Ontario and The June definitely plays on the local incredibleness of the community. Guests are not only greeted with a smile at the Wine Lobby, but also a glass of local wine and as an add-on are offered charcuterie boards of cheeses with other local goodness. They take pleasure in being part of the discovery as you make your way through the County.

A road trip to this boutique motel is a must and don't forget your smart phone!

The Classic Room

Filled with an eclectic mix of vintage pieces and feminine touches, this room was nothing but basic. Blue velvet curtains, a bohemian peacock chair and palm print wallpaper completed the room decor.

While we had every intention on popping by a winery during our journey, we simply went with the flow and kicked off the adventure with delicious authentic Mexican tacos at Parsons Brewing Company (also a new hot spot in the County). Dang this spot was ah-mazing. The foodie tour didn't stop here, the Drake Devonshire made the list as well as Sand and Pearl Raw Bar for oysters.

You can never have too much food right?

Breakfast Is Served

After a night of watching the season premier of The Outlander and then passing right out from food coma, a light breakfast was perfect to get our day going. Served was orange juice, fresh scones and vegan breakfast cookie.

Smiles, laughter and pure joy were sentiments that could be felt and seen at the grand re-opening of Victoria Park this summer. Young and old, the community of Kingston gathered around the park as excitement grew to celebrate the completion of the redevelopment of the 125-year old Victoria Park.

Celebrating Canada 150

In collaboration with the TD Common Ground project, an initiative in recognition of Canada's 150th birthday, Kingston was chosen for its vibrant and rich history. As the home of Canada’s first Prime Minister, it just made perfect sense to honour our nation's first capital and invest in diverse yet growing community green spaces.

Located in the close proximity of downtown Kingston and quite the popular hangout spot, Victoria Park was one of many spaces across Canada fit for enhancements to achieve the goal of enriching and bring people together.

The Reopening

As the town crier Chris Whyman rang his bell on Sunday morning and speeches were made - line ups for gelato and local food trucks grew as neighbourhood kids became anxious for the announcements to comment. The need for a little fun in the new splash pad was certainly growing. Previous council members stood amongst the crowd of over a hundred along with parents and students, the prospect of some much needed TLC finally coming to fruition was the joy the local community needed to kick off the last few weeks of summer within the city of Kingston.

Once the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and unveiling of the plaque was completed as well as acknowledgment of the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Peoples, Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson gladly set his blazer aside and became the first person to test out the splash pad! Many cheered and finally joined in, keeping a close eye at the flow of water leading towards the demonstration garden filled with a variety of plant species.

The Facelift

With the grand reopening of Victoria Park, it is now home to a newly designed splash pad, new tennis and basketball courts, nature inspired walk way, water conservation garden, diversification of trees, and expansion of community gathering areas.

After spending several years residing a few blocks away from Victoria Park, the added green space has made it much more inviting for gatherings whether a BBQ with friends or mid-day chill session under the trees.

Summer came and went in a flash - we loved our iced coffees but fall and winter belong to the latte. Am I right? I know we have three more weeks of official summer, but Labour Day weekend always feels like the true season finale. With this cold weather that we’ve been having, it feels much less like summer and more like fall. So what perfect way to embrace the season than with a delicious frothy McCafé French Vanilla Latte and of course a strawberry cream cheese danish. Match made in foodie heaven!

This fall, treat yourself to an extra special something in the morning that doesn’t put a dent in your wallet. The new McCafé French Vanilla Latte is the perfect blend of vanilla flavour and sweetness to get you excited for the day! I'm not a morning person by any means so this warm delight certainly gets me going before a long day – made with 100% Arabica beans, fresh steamed milk, all-natural and no artificial flavors, what more could you ask for.

Whether it is a hump day treat or a weekend delight, satisfy your fall craving with a sweet burst of energy from McCafé. Grab your fleece blanket, your guilty pleasure reading material or in my case Kingston’s new city guide and cozy up on your couch.

[name=Rosalyn Gambhir]
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[description=Rosalyn Gambhir is the gal behind the blog The Staycationer. Whether its exploring the local food scene with her foodie partner-in-crime or taking in the view from her favourite cafe, Rosalyn is always a tourist, looking for the next exciting adventure. The Staycationer allows you to rediscover hidden gems in your very own backyard.]
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Meet Rosalyn

Welcome to The Staycationer where I play tourist and am always on the look out for the next exciting adventure to share.